FORMER Hull FC and Castleford Tigers boss Lee Radford has been confirmed as the new defence coach for the Scottish national rugby union team.

Radford was defence coach for Samoa when they reached the RL World Cup final in 2022, losing to Australia at Old Trafford.

The 46-year-old ex-Hull FC and Bradford player, five-times capped by England and twice a Challenge Cup-winning coach with the former, has been out of league since leaving Castleford early in the 2023 season.

Radford is to initially combine the Scotland position with his existing job as defence coach at Northampton (he is credited with a key role in their title triumph of 2024).

He will join Scotland for the autumn international programme, then the 2026 Six Nations, and after this season, work exclusively at international level on a contract to 2028.

Scotland have coach Gregor Townsend contracted until the 2027 World Cup.

They play USA, New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga at Murrayfield over four weekends in November.

“I’ve always aspired to coach on the international stage within rugby union and to get that opportunity with a nation like Scotland is an incredibly proud moment,” said Radford.

“I’ve visited the Scotland camp a couple of times in the last few years and have come away with a great feeling about the place.

“The management are well connected and it’s a tight playing group. There’s a brilliant chemistry and that’s so important.

“Scotland have been very sound defensively over the last few years and there are similarities to how they work compared to Northampton.

“My job will be to continue that cohesion as well as adding some of my own touches.

“If you look at the age profile of the squad, it is starting to come together nicely and I have been really impressed with how the team have developed.”

Townsend said: “Lee brings a wealth of experience from Rugby League and union and will be able to build on the good work done in the defensive area over the last few years.”